JEDDAH: Football fever is high in the schools of Jazan with the launch of the latest girls’ soccer league.

Around 40 teams have signed up for the first season of the Schools Football League, which is part of a drive to enable a new generation to excel at sports and aid the Vision 2030 goal of nurturing stars of tomorrow.

The league’s inauguration took place at Al-Asamilah Elementary School for Girls.

Rihab Zailaay, Jazan’s assistant director general for the female students’ educational affairs, said that the league would encourage exercise and boost fitness.

She added that she hoped the league would increase the participation of girls in sports programs and activities, so that it becomes part of their lifestyle.

The league is part of a national effort by the sports and education ministries to promote physical exercise.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation hopes it will nurture a generation of athletes and improve standards all the way up to the national women’s team.

SAFF said that 48,324 players had registered nationally in school leagues, forming 4,768 teams coached by 3,790 women in more than 1,900 schools, 63 of which will host matches.

The federation said 413 of 544 female applicants were accepted as referees, and that work was underway to offer more courses for coaches and match officials.

The school leagues follow up the launch of the eight-team Saudi Women’s Premier League. A lower-tier Division One featuring 17 teams will start next month.